Where is the error (if any)?

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ngngmaiphuong  #552580  Fri, 08 Aug 08 05:08 PM
The editor had intended to invite both you and me to write for his newspaper; however, because of space constraints, only one of us can submit an article.

If there is an error in this sentences (underlined words or phrases), please help me show it.
  
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Avangi  #552588  Fri, 08 Aug 08 05:25 PM
The only problem I see is a small one, possibly logical.  When you say, "I've been invited to write for the newspaper," it's understood to mean on a regular basis.  In the case of a one-time assignment, you might say, "I've been invited to write something / a piece / an article for the newspaper."
 
As we continue reading your sentence, we find that the invitation would have been for a one-time piece, on one particular occasion.  In this case, we'd say, "intended to invite both you and me to submit articles for [possible] publication in his newspaper," or something like that.

Also, the punch line is missing.  How did the editor solve his problem?  When you use the past perfect, there's supposed to be a simple past tense event which the "had intended" preceded: "So the editor decided that only one of us can submit an article."   OR    " . . . ; However, because of space constraints, the editor decided that . . . . "   Tune in tommorrow to see who will submit an article.

  - A.
  
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ngngmaiphuong  #552595  Fri, 08 Aug 08 05:40 PM

Avangi
The only problem I see is a small one, possibly logical.  When you say, "I've been invited to write for the newspaper," it's understood to mean on a regular basis. As we read on, we find that the invitation would have been for a one-time piece, on one particular occasion.  In this case, we'd say, "intended to invite both you and me to submit articles for [possible] publication in his newspaper," or something like that.

Also, the punch line is missing.  How did the editor solve his problem?  When you use the past perfect, there's supposed to be a simple past tense event which the "had intended" preceded.   Tune in tommorrow to see who will submit an article.

  - A.


I completely agree with you about the tense error; however, my book somehow shows me that there is no problem with this sentences. That may be a printing error.

Thank you for replying
  
Yoong Liat  #553371  Sun, 10 Aug 08 10:39 PM

ngngmaiphuong
however, my book somehow shows me that there is no problem with this sentences
these

  
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Huevos  #553389  Mon, 11 Aug 08 12:24 AM
Past perfect is fine here. There was a simple past tense event which the "had intended" preceded: "[there were] space constraints".
  
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ngngmaiphuong  #553604  Mon, 11 Aug 08 05:33 PM
So what about 'one of us can submit...'? The tense seems not to agree with those of other sentences.
  
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